Which model group has the lower recorded MOT failure rate: BMW 3 Series or Audi A4?

Across 3,006,681 recorded MOT tests, the Audi A4 group has a 0.5 percentage point lower historical failure rate. The BMW 3 Series group rate is 26.1% and the Audi A4 group rate is 25.6%. These population statistics do not predict an individual vehicle's result.

What are the main MOT differences between BMW 3 Series and Audi A4?

The BMW 3 Series has a 26.1% overall MOT failure rate (1,841,976 tests) while the Audi A4 has 25.6% (1,164,705 tests). The highest complete component category for the BMW 3 Series is lamps & electrics, while for the Audi A4 it is lamps & electrics.

Should I buy a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4?

This aggregate MOT comparison is not a buying recommendation. It describes recorded model-group outcomes, not the condition or likely result of a particular vehicle. Check the specific vehicle's MOT history and condition before deciding.

BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4 — MOT Failure Rate Comparison

BMW 3 Series

26.1%

failure rate from 1,841,976 tests

0.9pp below the dataset reference (26.9%)

Audi A4

25.6%

failure rate from 1,164,705 tests

1.3pp below the dataset reference (26.9%)

Recorded-rate result: The Audi A4 model group has a 0.5 percentage point lower historical failure rate than the BMW 3 Series group in this dataset.

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 compare across different age groups:

Age	BMW 3 Series	Audi A4	Difference
0-2 years	12.7%	10.5%	Audi A4 +2.1pp
3-5 years	11.5%	12.5%	BMW 3 Series +1.0pp
6-10 years	20.4%	21.0%	BMW 3 Series +0.6pp
11-15 years	30.2%	31.8%	BMW 3 Series +1.6pp
15+ years	33.3%	38.7%	BMW 3 Series +5.3pp

Recorded Component Comparison

Side-by-side aggregate rates for MOT tests involving each component category. These are group statistics, not a diagnosis of either vehicle.

BMW 3 Series Component Audi A4

5.2%

Lamps & Electrics

4.5%

3.9%

Suspension

4.3%

3.7%

Brakes

2.8%

3.7%

Tyres

3.6%

2.0%

Visibility

1.5%

0.8%

Body & Chassis

1.9%

0.4%

Steering

0.6%

Component	BMW 3 Series	Audi A4	Lower rate
Lamps & Electrics	5.2%	4.5%	Audi A4
Suspension	3.9%	4.3%	BMW 3 Series
Brakes	3.7%	2.8%	Audi A4
Tyres	3.7%	3.6%	Audi A4
Visibility	2.0%	1.5%	Audi A4
Body & Chassis	0.8%	1.9%	BMW 3 Series
Steering	0.4%	0.6%	BMW 3 Series

Which Has the Lower Recorded Failure Rate?

Based on official DVSA MOT test records covering 3,006,681 tests between these two models, the Audi A4 group has a 0.5 percentage point lower overall failure rate. The Audi A4 group rate is 25.6% compared with 26.1% for the BMW 3 Series group.

The age-band table shows whether that gap is consistent across the available groups. The highest recorded component category is lamps & electrics for the BMW 3 Series group and lamps & electrics for the Audi A4 group. Category rates show historical involvement in failed tests; they do not identify a fault on a particular vehicle.

Explore Each Model in Detail

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component percentages are weighted recorded category rates, not probabilities for an individual vehicle. The checked-in dataset contains 148,509,908 tests and 39,969,903 failures. Vehicle condition and history are not captured by these group comparisons.

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